Equation climbs to 4-0 with triumph in The Big Easy

Equation ran her career mark to four wins without a loss, scoring a half-length victory Saturday in The Big Easy, a $50,000 overnight stakes race at Fair Grounds.

Equation won her debut at Turfway, a first-level allowance race at Arlington, and a second-level allowance at Churchill before her win Saturday in New Orleans. Her first race came over Polytrack, the last three in turf sprints.

Trained for her first three starts by Wesley Ward, Equation now resides in the Fair Grounds barn of trainer Brendan Walsh. Ben McElroy owns Equation, a daughter of In Summation and the Unbridled mare, Christy Love.

Under James Graham, Equation broke from the rail and settled in fourth as favored Clairenation led through a slow opening quarter-mile in 22.98 seconds and a half in 46.04. Clairenation dropped tamely away when the tempo quickened in the homestretch, and Equation had made the lead at the stretch all, holding clear of Simple Surprise despite drifting out as she finished. The winning time was 1:03.44 for 5 1/2 furlongs on firm turf. Equation paid $8.80.

Simple Surprise had a troubled trip and turned in her second straight solid performance over the Fair Grounds course to finish second, two lengths clear of Calypso Run. Boom Bam Bing was fourth, followed by Kathballu, who broke through the gate before the start, and a disappointing Clairenation.